Harriet Tubman Promoted to National Guard Brigadier General

In a historic ceremony, Harriet Tubman was posthumously promoted to the rank of brigadier general by the Maryland Army National Guard, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to military service and social justice. The ceremony took place on Veterans Day at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center in Dorchester County, Maryland, her birthplace. This promotion was made possible through Maryland legislation passed earlier in 2024, granting Governor Wes Moore the authority to bestow this honor following a grassroots advocacy campaign.

Tubman’s great-great-great-grandniece, Tina Wyatt, accepted the honor, expressing profound emotion and gratitude. Major General Janeen Birckhead highlighted Tubman’s service as a spy, scout, nurse, and cook for the Union Army, noting her role as the first Black woman to serve in combat for the U.S. military. Tubman provided critical intelligence on Confederate troop movements and supplies, underscoring her pivotal impact on the Civil War and her lasting legacy.

Source: BET